












LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, # 


UNITED STATES OF AM 



































REPORT 


ON THE 


GOLD MIMES 


OF THE 

/ 

/ 

PHILADELPHIA AND NORTH CAROLINA 


MINING AND SMELTING COMPANY, 


WITH MAPS AND THE ACT OF INCORPORATION. 



PHILADELPHIA, 1847. 


PRINTED BY JOHN H. SCHWACKE, 226 NORTH THIRD STREET 




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PREFACE. 


After many years of exploration and experiment, accompanied 
with the usual vicissitudes and failures which almost necessarily 
accompany such pioneer undertakings, the day has at last dawned 
uroN us, in which we see commenced the successful and profitable 
working of the gold-mines of the United States, opening a new Era 
in the development of that important branch of national wealth. 

Hitherto the American gold-mining, with us in the United States, 
has been conducted, as all enterprises of magnitude generally are in 
their infancy, without that knowledge, perseverance, economy and 
science, which secures profitable issues; and, to these causes, joined 
to visionary statements and anticipations, are to be attributed the many 
failures which have taken place; and the coldness and distrust, which 
for some time this important branch of mining has met with. 

Happily we are now so far advanced in all the necessary know¬ 
ledge, and other prerequisites, joined with more favorable times and 
circumstances, as insures a more profitable, and indeed brilliant re¬ 
sult in future operations; and, it is no less true than remarkable, that 
the same circumstances, (as in GOLD-mining,) accompanied the first 
attempts of mining the other minerals of the country — such as the 
coal fields—lead mines, and iron and copper ores; followed in each 
of these cases, by the same great and profitable results we so con¬ 
fidently anticipate for future gold-mining operations. 

Not only, as in the other minerals of the country are like causes 
operating in favor of the future profitable working in the gold regions, 
but it will, to all human probabilities, be much more extensive and 
lucrative when we regard the relative positions and advantages of our 
gold region in comparison with those celebrated mining districts of 
South America. In the latter we perceive unsettled governments 
and laws — but slight security of life and property — the precious 
metals embosomed in wild and desolate regions—all the materials for 
mining purposes scarce and costly—barriers, natural barriers in the 
impassable mountains to the facilities of transportation—in many in¬ 
stances a want of miners—the peaceful pursuits of life being broken 
up or interfered with by intestine commotions and political revolu¬ 
tions; whilst doubt and gloom and hopelessness of amelioration alike 
prevent and stifle enterprise. — In the United States gold-mining 
districts, what a different view is presented to the reflecting mind in 
contrast to this! There we see the gold region encircled with thick 


IV 


forests, and penetrated with large navigable rivers — possessing all 
the materials and facilities for mining operations without stint, a popu¬ 
lation well organized and numerous, possessing industry, perseverance 
and skill —with all the necessaries of life within their reach — sur¬ 
rounded with great agricultural prosperity — with a mild and genial 
climate — and above all a stable government and protective laws. 

Upon this just and familiar comparison, the conclusion is irresist- 
ably forced on the mind, that the gold region of the United States 
“stands alone in its superiority!” — and it only remains to be shown, 
that the ores are rich, and the mines productive, (which researches 
are open to all, and which the following table will more clearly show,) 
to prove, that we are not mistaken when we say that a “ vast field 

FOR PRODUCTIVE CAPITAL IS HERE OPENED.” 




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VI 


This table is given to show the amount of “Native gold” coined, 
and not the whole amount “mined” as a large amount in addition, is 
used in the manufacture of jewelry, and is consumed in the arts 
generally; and the whole amount coined both foreign and domestic 
being $11,832,568 in amount, we find by the official returns, that 
two-thirds of the gold coined in the United States for the last 22 
years, has been from the “Native metal” amounting to $7,566,732 
in value. — We also find that the annual increase of yield within the 
last few years has been very large, and at an increased ratio; that 
whilst in 1824 there was but $5000 worth, coined, in 1845, $489,382 
was the yield of that year alone, out of which $365,886 worth of 
Native gold, was taken from the State of North Carolina alone, “in 
which lies this valuable property” promising in a few years a 
sufficient yield of gold, to fill up all the arteries of circulation. It 
may be well to state, as an important fact bearing upon the particular 
value of this section of the gold region, that upwards of $2,000,000 
have been coined into private tokens, bearing federal value at Ruther- 
fordton, within six miles of the estate. 

That we are safe in our anticipation of a great impulse being now 
on the eve of being realized to gold-mining operations in the United 
States; even more extraordinary than that given to other mineral 
treasures, — “Coal” for instance, of which in Pennsylvania in 1820 
but one vessel laden with that mineral left the port of Philadelphia, 
in 1840, 5000 vessels loaded with coal left the same port, whose 
freight alone amounted to one million of dollars—is apparent, not only 
from the analogy in the history of their first introduction, and sub¬ 
sequent demand, and supply, from other causes operating in a ten-fold 
ratio in favor of the more precious metal, gold ! 

I will here mention a few of the most apparent favorable circum¬ 
stances, familiar to all engaged in these operations.—For instance, 
as in contrast with coal, we are saved the vast outlay and consump¬ 
tion of time in completing these extensive artificial means of trans¬ 
portation—that we offer a metal which is itself cash, and the medium 
of exchange for all other articles—in which no “bad debts” can be 
incurred in its sale — in which no “credits” need be given — and in 
which dividends may be made monthly or oftener if desirable, as the 
gold is “taken up” at the mills every 12 hours, and from the furnace 
every 24 hours. 

It is true that this great increase in production and consequent ac¬ 
cumulation of profit in gold-mining with us, may from some transient 
and unfavorable causes be yet “for a short time” retarded, but at the 
worst it must be but temporary. It’s destiny now rests upon too 
sure a basis, and its developments recently, have been so great, as 
will soon class it amongst the “primary” productions of the country, 
and secondary only to the great agricultural staple of “cotton” — for 
no human efforts can prevent, what the laws of nature have decreed. 


11 E P 0 II T. 


INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 

This valuable Gold, Silver and Nickel Estate lies about five miles 

from Rutherfordton, Rutherford County, North Carolina, on the road 

from Rutherfordton to Jamestown. The Second Broad River passes 

through part of the estate; it contains about nine hundred acres, from 

40 to 50 of which are cultivated, the remainder is heavily timbered, 

but the soil is very fertile and suitable for farming purposes. There 

is a mill, with a very valuable water-power, on Second Broad River, 

• 

which, with numerous dwellings and other buildings, form, even in an 
economical point of view, a handsome estate. Inasmuch, however, 
as by far the most valuable portion of this fine estate lies under the 
surface, and consists of a large body of veins, which are very numerous, 
I will proceed to a description of the latter; and as this property is 
composed of three several natural sections, I shall treat of each by 
itself, and will begin with the Wallace Place as the most important. 


SECTION FIRST. 

External Appearances of the Formation, and Explanation of the Maps. 

This section which I propose to call the Wallace Place, embraces, 
as a whole, the Wallace, Logan and Hambre tracts, and also some 
smaller tracts, in all amounting to upwards of six hundred acres. 

In proceeding from Rutherfordton, we arrive at this place near the 
Wallace plantation, and it is divided by the road which runs from 
South to North along the ridge of the hill. The surface of this place 
contains five valleys, with rivulets and many small coves and ravines; 
some points of these valleys lie from 100 to 150 feet lower than the 
ridges—a very fortunate circumstance, as will appear hereafter in 
this report. This will be very advantageous for mining, in particular 
for adits or tunnels. These valleys and coves are very rich in gold- 
sand, and I will again refer to them in speaking of gold deposits. 
With respect to the general features, I refer to the annexed maps, 
and for this purpose give an explanation of the different numbers and 
marks. 



2 


1. The Arabic numbers designate those points laid down by measure¬ 
ment, and will serve for more ready reference on the spot, as well as 
to facilitate any future measurement. 

2. The small squares, made by four lines crossing each other, are 
Shafts, some of which are also designated by the word “shaft.” 

3. Two short parallel lines near together, designate Cuts,— and 

4. Those lines, whether cutting through the shafts, or marked in 
any manner, partly continuous, partly composed of dots only, designate 
Veins. 

5. Those spaces surrounded by dotted lines, and coloured blue, are 
Deposits. 

6. The red lines with large letters, are projected Adits or Tunnels. 

7. The line washed with red, is the Boundary of the Estate. 

The Formation. 

This section, as well as that of the neighborhood, belongs chiefly 
to the primitive formation, and is composed of Gneiss, Talcose-Gran- 
ite or protogyne , and Granitoid-Syenite, in large masses, frequently 
running into each other. These rocks, however, are so perfectly de¬ 
composed, that they have a clay-like appearance, and it is very difficult 
to designate them by their component parts. The Feldspar is easily 
detected by its color, which is generally and chiefly flesh-red ; the 
mica cannot be mistaken. Schorl or tourmaline, garnets and epidote, 
are very common accompaniments. These masses are frequently 
found in a slaty or schistose form, but it is the seams of rhomboidal 
Feldspar only, which are the most distinctly visible, on account of the 
decomposed state of the formation. 

Occasionally, also, the Gneiss, the component pans of which pre¬ 
sent laminae or layers, has the same appearance. This state of de¬ 
composition extends to a considerable depth, and, indeed, in some 
shafts at a depth of 80 feet, there isaveryslightincrea.se in hardness. 
In the neighboring mines, in shafts of 180 feet in depth, there was no 
remarkable difference in the hardness. 

There is, what is very remarkable, a dyke of Granitoid.Syenite of 
no great thickness, penetrating the overlying masses, and nearly 
reaching the susface, which has not suffered from decomposition. It 
was discovered in sinking the so-called Hard Shaft, and thus far is 
the only thing of the kind found in the whole section. 

Veins run through this ridge in great numbers, and contain Gold, 


3 


Silver and Nickel. Several of them were discovered by means of 
shafts, others bv means of small adits or tunnels, which were sunk or 
driven, in order to ascertain their general character. They all run 
with the greatest regularity, North 75 degrees East, with a dip to the 
North of about 80 degrees, which is nearly vertical, and are entirely 
free from intermixture with the adjacent rocks, as they have very 
distinct Saalbands, or thin intervening layers of clay, which here 
contains mica; as far as these veins have been followed down, they 
have increased in thickness considerably. 

The gangue consists of quartz, in which the ore is occasionally 
coarsely disseminated; it principally, however, occurs in strings or 
bands. The ores, properly speaking, are combined with iron pyrites, 
which, however, near the surface, is partially decomposed and con¬ 
verted into hydrated oxide of iron; its crystalline form, which is cu¬ 
bic, is very evident in the hydrate. This brown, and occasionally 
black, hydrate, first drew attention to the veins, as native gold is very 
visible in it; the undecomposed pyrites, on the other hand, remained 
long unnoticed. The ores are often found in what is locally called 
Honeycomb. This is cellular quartz, in which the ore is entirely 
decomposed, and the metallic gold found, accompanied frequently by 
native sulphur. This ore is that most sought after, as it requires no 
further labour than that of shaking out the gold. 

The decomposed ores have been worked for some years past, but in 
a very imperfect manner, and on a very contracted scale; the unde¬ 
composed pyrites obtained at the same time, were treated by means of 
roasting, but this process was conducted in so imperfect and slovenly 
a manner, that instead of liberating the gold, which might have easily 
been done, the whole was rendered unfit for operating on; and, con¬ 
sequently, the parties became discouraged, and the whole was given up. 

Of these once submitted to fire, not to say roasted, pyrites, from 
the different roasting heaps, there remain about 1000 bushels, which 
on account of their partial decomposition from long exposure, can be 
the more easily reduced; those pyrites containing silver and nickel, 
are easily distinguishable by their finer grain, their white appearance, 
and the absence of crystallisation, although they also contain gold. 

I will remark in general, that the different veins may be distin¬ 
guished from each other by the purity of the quartz, the coarser or 
finer grain of the pyrites, as well as by the color of the hydrates and 
oxides of iron. TTp to this time, at least forty different veins of con- 


4 


siderable depth are known to exist, from the outcrops on the surface, 
as well as by the cuts made on them. Wherever I have marked the 
veins on the map with lines, they are well ascertained; where, on 
the contrary, they are merely marked with dots, these indicate sur¬ 
face rocks or outcrops. It is to be observed, that when so many veins 
are marked on the map in juxtaposition, frequently lying but two feet 
apart, it is to be concluded that a still greater number exist, which 
are concealed by the vegetable soil, as well as by wood and leaves. 

I, myself, whilst engaged in surveying the land, discovered several 
of them, but had not time to follow them up, and considered it as not 
altogether necessary, as my report was intended to give only a gen¬ 
eral idea and leave the rest to a special examination. I will now 
notice some of the separate veins, as they are marked on the map of 
the Wallace Place. 

1. The Pyrites Veins. 

These veins, which run through the immediate vicinity of the 
Wallace Place, but which have been opened only to the westward of 
it, by means of several shafts, some formerly and others more recent¬ 
ly made, consist principally, as their name indicates, of undecomposed 
pyiites, of which a large quantity is fine grained, containing much 
silver and nickel; near the surface, however, they produce decom¬ 
posed and Honeycomb ores. 

Five of these veins are known, and ores have been taken out of 
them, a considerable quantity of which was subjected to roasting, and 
is now on the spot, as mentioned in the introduction. 

Their thickness varies in general from 1 inch to 1 foot. There is 
one three feet thick, consisting of ore disseminated in quartz, in which 
it frequently occurs in masses of a foot in thickness. 

It was formerly attempted to open these veins by means of an adit 
or tunnel, which was begun near to No. 18, but it was not carried 
through. The cause of its discontinuance is unknown to me, as well 
as the length of the adit, as it has fallen in; on this account the quan¬ 
tity of ore taken from the shafts was quite unimportant. 

2. The Veins of the Brown Shaft. 

At the northern corner of the orchard on the Wallace plantation, 
and very near the spot marked No. 2, are two shafts which atdifferent 
times have been sunk to the depth of about 40 feet. The ores of these 
veins, two of which have been opened, consist, as far as this depth, 
almost exclusively of gold in brown hydrated oxide of iron, and vary 


5 


from 1 to 3 feet in thickness, but average about 16 inches. To judge 
by the fragments found in the heaps of rubbish, the ore appears to be 
very rich in gold, and to be very easy of reduction, as it is quite free 
from sulphur; nevertheless, in all these veins, when a depth is reached 
at which decomposition cannot take place, we must expect to find the 
same ore in the form of pyrites. The work done here is of very small 
extent, and has been carried on very unskillfully. 

3. The Veins of the Water Shaft 

Follow next, and several cuts have been made on them between Nos. 
2 and 4. Thus far, seven veins have been discovered, some of which 
have been opened and worked formerly and recently by shafts on the 
western continuation: these have been called Water Shafts, on ac¬ 
count of the water rising in them for want of means to convey it off’, 
—they are from 45 to SO feet deep. The thickness of the veins varies 
from 1 inch to 3 feet, and the ores consist of pyrites, with some de¬ 
composed hydrated oxides of iron near the surface; the fine grained 
pyrites is that chiefly found, the workings are very imperfect and 
unimportant, and should be carried deeper. 

4, The Veins of the Hard Shaft. 

These are situated more westerly, and are 7 in number. One of 
these is in the hard granitoid-syenite, of which I have spoken in my 
introduction, and hence it is called the Hard Shaft. The shaft is 30 
feet deep, and the vein, which, without any alteration, passes through 
the syenite, is 20 inches thick, and contains pyritous ores; those near 
the surface being partially decomposed as far down as the action of 
the atmosphere extended, and exhibit plainly the gold contained in 
the pyrites; the other veins, which have been opened by several cuts, 
vary from 1 to 12 inches in thickness, and contain, with the exception 
of some hydrates rich in gold, chiefly pyritous ores. Somewhat fur¬ 
ther to the W'est, on the other side of the Edgerton Branch, these 
veins have been partly examined, by which their extension has been 
ascertained, so as to leave no further doubt on the subject. Some¬ 
what further on the South are— 

6. The Veins of the Black Shaft, 

Which are principally hydrated oxides of iron, and are very rich in 
the different metals. They are seven in number, and have been 
partly opened by the Black Shaft, which is 30 feet deep, by a tunnel 
of inconsiderable length, and by several cuts; their thickness is about 
6 inches, but I believe they will, like all the others, increase at a 
greater depth. Thence further to the South, and crossing over sev- 


G 


eral equally rich veins opened by cuts, we come, in the South-western 
corner of the section, to the 

C. Veins of the Clemente Shaft, 

Five of these are known, one of which is 8 inches thick, crossing 
a shaft at 30 feet; the ores consist of very dark brown oxides of iron, 
Honeycomb or cellular quartz, and pyrites, and appear to be, and no 
doubt are, remarkably rich. Another highly important section of 
veins is— 

7. The Nickel Veins, 

These are situated on the North side of the road, on the declivity 
of the Middle Branch, and have been laid open by various shafts and 
cuts; they are, at their outcrop, but a few inches thick, and contain, 
principally, fine grained pyrites ; they lie, however, so near together, 
that two of them may be worked in the same gallery. Thirteen of 
them have been discovered, and it is highly probable that a further 
examination will much increase this number. 

I have thus given a short account of my examination of the before 
mentioned veins, which are not marked by essentially distinctive 
traits of character. Those that have been examined to a greater 
depth and extent by means of tunnels and shafts, leave no doubt as 
to the regularity of their formation, and bring us to the conclusion, 
that the others are equally regular. I would further remark, that the 
whole surface of the right slope of the Edgerton Branch appears to be 
a gold deposit. In consequence of the complete decomposition of the 
surface, as well as of the outcropping veins, the whole ground to the 
depth of several feet is impregnated with native gold, so that it would 
be a profitable operation to subject the whole to a washing by means 
of a machine. It is certainly not a deposit produced by diluvial action, 
but it would seem that here a large number of small but rich veins 
crop out, whose decomposition forms a surface very rich in native 
gold. It is furthermore a strong ground for my opinion, that a great 
number of veins exist here, which have not been laid open. 

On the Mode of Opening and Working the Veins, 

As I have before mentioned in my introduction, there are several 
valleys here, which, on account of their steep sides and considerable 
depths, will be of great importance in forming adits or tunnels. 

The valley beginning with No. 1, and passing behind the Wallace 
Place, is the most important point of all. A tunnel commencing at 
A, and driven in the direction of the red line, would cut at a vertical 
depth of about 160 feet a great number of veins at right angles, viz: 


7 


those of the Brown, Water, and Hard Shafts. A second, at a still 
greater depth, might be driven from the opposite side of the Mill 
Branch, from the point B, in the same direction, and so carried as to 
reach the first one in the middle of the ridge. This would be much 
deeper than A, and on that account much better. The connection 
between the two might be formed by means of a winze, nevertheless 
the adit B, in its direction to the east, would cut the nickel veins, 
which formerly were laid open by a small tunnel, commencing at the 
Mill Branch. I would also recommend a third tunnel or adit to be 
commenced at C, which would probably lay open many points worthy 
of attention. 

4. A fourth tunnel should be driven from the Middle Branch, near 
point D, into the opposite hill, in order to make a new developement 
there. 

5. The west side of the estate must be developed by a tunnel from 
point E. 

In this manner, all the veins will be cut at right angles, and then 
galleries must be driven on each vein right and left, in order to carry 
on mining properly. How this is to be done, can easily be understood 
by any miner. As the whole ground is so easily worked, the works 
for mining the ore will he of very inconsiderable cost; for one good 
picker, with the assistance of a wheeler, will be able, daily, to drive 
a space of six feet high by six feet long, and of the ordinary width. 

The thickness of the veins may, near the outcrop or surface, be 
considered as averaging six inches; consequently two workmen can 
daily mine eighteen cubic feet or eighteen bushels of ore. As, how¬ 
ever, the ores occur in quartz, and by a rough dressing lose about one- 
third, we may assume, at the lowest calculation, that one man can 
mine daily six bushels of ore. As the veins increase in width at a 
greater depth, they would yield ore in greater proportion. 

As, from time to time, one or more of the tunnels projected by me 
are driven, in the course of one year, the mining operations may be 
so far advanced, that from eighty to four hundred men may be advan¬ 
tageously employed, who, at the average of the foregoing calculation, 
will be able to deliver from the mines from 480 to 2400 bushels per 
day, when mining near the surface, and more in proportion as they 
descend in depth. In the course of time the mining operations natu¬ 
rally will become more extensive, and the delivery of ores will increase 
in a still greater proportion. 

Deposits. 

The deposits of gold sand belong to a more recent period, and owe 
their origin to the outcrops of the veins. One of the floods of most 


8 


recent date must have carried off the upper covering of decomposed 
rocks, and at the same time the decomposed ores of the veins, and the 
ores being carried off with the gravel wb‘ h the current brought from 
elsewhere, were on account of their greatly infe ior hardress, com¬ 
pletely pulverized and ground up. The loose particles and spangles 
of gold were, on account of the'r greater specific gravity, very Loon 
deposited in the ravines or valleys, or wherever the current ceased to 
act. On this account, we always find that the lowest or undermost 
portion of the deposits is the richest in gold. Nevertheless, the whole 
of this siliceous deposit contains gold in fine particles, which, in con¬ 
sequence of the rapidity of the current, has been carried to the large 
valleys, and is to be found in all those rivers which rise in the moun¬ 
tains of the gold r gioa. Those deposits, wh’ch are found in the 
smaller vafeys r id ofren in dry ravines, are the richest, and occur 
either at the outcrop of veins, or in their immediate neighborhood; 
the river deposits, on the contrary, are poorer, inasmuch as the gold 
is disseminated through a greater mass of pebbles and sand. The 
deposits here 0 ’e composed of a layer of mica, next to which is found 
the gold-sard mixed with garnets, epidote and pure quartz in the 
state of coarse and fine pebbles, and is from three to six feet thick. 
This is overlaid with a fine slimy sand, entirely free from gold, which 
is the lightest and latest depor t from water, and this is from seven to 
eight feet thick. O 11 the Wallace Place there are four deposits, as 
follows:— 

1. Mill Branch deposit—three acres. The surface of this will yield 
upwards cf one penny weight per hand per day, (with a common rocker.) 

2. The Edgerton Branch deposit—two acres. Will yield one pen¬ 
nyweight and a half per hand per day. 

3. The swamp deposit—two acres. Will yield one pennyweight, 
as before. 

4. Hambre deposit—one pennyweight, as before. Contains two 
acres.—TOTAL, 9 ACRES. 

The washing of the deposits is most imperfectly executed, and 
without any previous separation of the sand or gravel, according to 
its size, in small iron pans of from 8 to 10 inches in diameter, and also 
in what are termed rockers, whereby only the coarser particles of 
gold are obtained ; the finer or lighter, on the contrary, are washed 
away. This loss amounts, at the very least, to four-fifths of the gold 
contained in the sand or gravel. 

The washing is usually performed by a party of 3 men, who wash 
generally from 100 to 140 bushels per day, and obtain from 1 to It 
dwts. of gold per hand. A deposit yielding 1 dwt. nett per day is 


9 


considered a good one, and pays well, as wages are very low, being 
about 37^ cents per day. There are, however, much richer deposits, 
which yield from 1 to 8 dwts. per bushel. 

Deposits, which, when worked in this manner, yield 1 dwt. nett, 
lose, agreeably to what has been remarked, 5 dwts. If proper ma¬ 
chinery were introduced, instead of manual labor, gold washings would 
yield a large profit. 

The amount of gold contained in the sand or gravel, which I have 
stated at an amount below its real value, when speaking of deposits, 
is that produced by the labor of one man per day, by the usual mode of 
washing. If we assume that 3 men procure from 100 bushels in one day 
3 dwts., and that there is a loss of four-fifths in the operation, then 
Mill Branch deposit, from 100 bushels will yield 15 dwts. 

Edgerton “ “ “ “ 22^ “ 

Swamp “ “ “ “ 15 “ 

Hambre “ “ “ “ 15 “ 

Each of these deposits is situated on a small creek, which at all times 
of the year furnishes the water necessary for washing. 


SECTION SECOND. 

This section lies about one mile and a half from the first, also on 
the road from Rutherfordton to Jamestown; the Second Broad River 
runs through it. It consists of the two mill tracts, and contains two 
hundred acres, more or less. The formation is the same as that of 
the first seciion, with the exception, that in the bed of the Broad 
River, the lowest point of the whole estate, we find the solid gneiss 
projecting. 

Veins. 

Thus far no veins have been discovered, but in several places sur¬ 
face rocks are found, which no doubt will lead to veins; but there is 
a very important 

River Deposit 

Of eleven acres, six of which are well worth washing, and will yield 
from | to 1 dwt., or more properly, ll£ to 15 dwts. of gold in one 
hundred bushels of gold-sand. It is situated directly below the mill 
seat, on the right side of Broad River; it covers the whole flat and 
rises to a considerable height up the neighboring hill. The current 
of the river, which has a south-westerly direction, and then on the 
right bank below the deposit turns off to the south-east, forms an 
eddy, in consequence of which the deposition of the gold is much 
facilitated. The mill race is cut through it for some distance, in doing 
which its rich contents in gold were discovered. It differs from the 
deposit of the first section only in containing, besides gold, garnets, 



10 


epidote, and tourmaline or schorl, also a quantity of small fragments 
of magnetic iron ore. Its thickness is from four to six feet. 

Mill Scat. 

It is the mill seat which gives this section the greatest importance, 
as it is the only one of any consequence in a circle of ten miles. 
About one hundred yards above the mill is the Second Broad River, 
which is contracted into a very narrow bed by the rocky hills on each 
side approaching each other; it falls over a bed of gneiss rock, and 
with very little artificial assistance furnishes a considerable water¬ 
power, which at the lowest stage of the water, may be considered 
equal to about 90 horse power. The mill contains a patent cast iron 
water-wheel on the centrifugal system, and has about 38 horse power 
—a force sufficient to drive stamping and washing apparatus. 

The mill was intended for stamping and grinding ores, but is at 
present used as a flour mill. It contains a small dry-stamping appa¬ 
ratus, three crushing mills, and various other things which will be 
found in the inventory attached to this report. In the neighborhood 
of the mill are several small buildings, viz: a smithshop, combined 
with a small machine-workshop, several ore-houses, a large storehouse 
and several stables, all new and in good order. 

SECTION THIRD. 

This lies also on Second Broad River, about seven miles above the 
mill, in the neighborhood of Jamestown. It contains about 45 acres, 
and stretches along the river, which borders on it. It has an incon¬ 
siderable breadth, lies on the west side of the river, and extends to 
the summit of the chain of hills. 

The formation is undecomposed granite, which is very steep up to 
the top of the mountain. In this section but one vein has been dis¬ 
covered, which makes its appearance on the mountain slope on the 
west side of the river. This runs for a considerable extent, and is 
known under the name of the Nickel Vein ; it is considered one of 
the richest veins in this region. Its principal contents are quartz with 
gold, very finely disseminated, and also galena, phosphate of lead, and 
silver. 

The examinations made on this vein, show that the contents in lead 
and silver increase considerably as the vein descends. In addition, 
there are about six acres river deposit, which, with several other de¬ 
posits in the neighborhood, are considered as the most important of 
this region, as may easily be conceived from their occurring in the 
neighborhood of rich veins. 

(Signed,) FREDERICK GIPPERICH, 

Mining Engineer. 



11 


In addition to the report of Mr. Gipperich, the following remarks 
are subjoined. 

Since that was written, many veins in addition to those known at 
that time, have been discovered, and from the numerous indications 
on the surface, a great number more will unquestionably be found, 
indeed it will take years before all will be known. 

It is as yet the only estate which possesses the very great advantage 
of having the veins running through decomposed granite, in conse¬ 
quence of which they can be worked with the pick, instead of by 
blasting, thereby making a very great saving in expense, and can be 
easily and cheaply tunneled in various directions, which will keep the 
mines dry, and at the same time lay open many veins hitherto unknown. 

The water-power is the best, and indeed the only good one, in that 
part of the country. 

The country is perfectly healthy at all seasons. 

Labor is very low, even white hands can be procured at from 371-2 
to 50 cents per day, they finding themselves, provisions being very 
cheap, in consequence of the markets being distant. 

More Gold has been washed out of the deposits in the creeks or 
branches in this neighborhood, than in any other part of the gold re¬ 
gion; for above two millions of dollars have been stamped or coined 
by the private assayers at Rutherfordton, from the washings of that 
section alone. 

The ores are very rich, as will appear in part from the subjoined 
memoranda of analyses. 

The following are the results of several analyses made by amalga¬ 
mation by different persons :— 

1 lb. decomposed surface pyrites— 

repeated trials gave from 3-4 to 7-8 grs. gold. 

1 lb. bright pyrites from the Brown Shaft, 3-4 “ 1 1-2 

1 lb. ore from Black, Water and Hard Shaft, 1 1-4 w 2 1-8 

4 1-2 lbs. ores from tunnel, 10 1-16 

5 3-4 lbs. good ores, half bright pyrites, half 

decomposed, 13 1-8 “ 

1 lb. do. from the two small mines near Wallace 

House, 1 1-2 to 3 1-16 “ 

1 lb. refuse ores, 1-8 “ 3-8 “ 

Of selected ore, the late Mr. Bissell said he obtained, per 100 lbs., 
from 22 to 30 pennyweights; but it is not known, whether by amal¬ 
gamation, or by smelting—probably by the latter. 

ft has been ascertained by repeated experiments, that the assay bv 
fire is the best adapted to these ores, as those by acids and amalga¬ 
mation give but a faint idea of their value. 


12 


There can be no doubt, however, that if the process of smelting 
be adopted, the results would be much greater; for, from many ex¬ 
periments, made by order and at the expense of the Russian Govern¬ 
ment, the. same ores, which yielded by the washing process 5-6 of 
an ounce, yielded by smelting 72 5-6 ounces, being 87 times as much. 
Smelting could be carried on at these mines very advantageously, as 
all the materials are most abundant and cheap. 

It may be safely added, that the gold ores of this estate are much 
richer than the average of those found in Brazil and in the Russian 
Dominions, which is proved by Professor Rose’s analyses. 



The mill not long since built on Second Broad River, is the best 
mill-seat in that part of the country; the mill-dam has a rocky abut¬ 
ment on each side of the river.—At a short distance below the dam 
stands the Mill and Amalgamation House, a new two-story Ware¬ 
house and Negro-house, Blacksmith’s shop, Ore-house, Corn-house, 
Stables and two sheds, &c. Opposite the mill, on the other side of 
the river, is a two-story Dwelling-house, Kitchen, Orchard and Gar¬ 
dens, Stable, and about 25 Acres of ground, lately cleared. 

The Water-wheel and Shaft are entirely of iron and very strong; 
with the present fall, there is 38 horse power, but the dam may be 
raised about two or two and a half feet higher, as soon as the neigh¬ 
bor above has washed his deposit lan-d, which will then give upwards 
of 90 horse power. In the mill are two pair of the best new Burr 
Mill Stones, made at Philadelphia, which are now grinding wheat 
and corn, making a toll of from about 1000 to 1200 dollars per annum, 
according to the quantity of wheat to grind, which pays better 
than corn. There is a good Bolting and Smut Machine. There are 
also 8 Dry Stamps on the Mexican plan, to prepare ore for amalgama¬ 
tion,—a steel wire Bolting Machine for fine ores,—one iron Amalga¬ 
mating Cask with turned shaft, to contain about 900 lbs. of powdered 
ore,—four large wooden iron-bound Amalgamating Casks, with iron 
heads and shafts, and holding from 1000 to 1200 lbs.,—and one small 
one to hold about 500 lbs., the whole with iron drums and machinery 
for them complete, but not fixed up. 


— 13 - 

1 strong mill to break the ore, not as yet put up, shaft and iron drums 
complete. 

1 large double bellows for a furnace. 

2 roasting pans, of heavy boiler iron. 

22 cast iron grate bars, for roasting-furnaces. 

1 cast iron frame, revolving round in the roasting-furnace, with 20 
upright scrapers, turning the ore by machinery, not put up. 

1 large iron bound tank, six and a half feet high. 

1 iron blowing fan for a furnace. 

A quantity of large iron hoops for water tanks, 
do. round iron for small bolts, 
do. do. do. screw bolts. 

A spare rod iron shaft, turned. 

Sundry other iron, large and small. 

2 bundles of sheet iron. 

1 lot of steel, for mining tools. 

1 heavy bed plate of iron, for stamps. 

10 spare steeled stamp heads. 

14 rings to hold them. 

1 lot of leather for bands or belts. 

1 lot of bands or belts. 

2 lots of spare iron bevel wheels. 

A number of iron drums for machinery. 

do. wooden turned drums. 

2 sets of blocks and falls complete. 

2 mining windlasses and fixtures 
6 Coils of best miners’ ropes. 

Iron bound mining tubs and fixtures. 

1 lot of cross cut and mill saws and gearings. 

1 lot of carpenters’ and panel saws. 

1 lot of large and small mining sledges and hammers. 

1 lot of broad mill and wood axes, and hatchets. 

A lot of spades, shovels, miners’ picks and crowbars, and other mining 
tools. 

1 lot of spare iron mill stone steps. 

1 large power lathe, doubly geared, for turning anything at the mill. 
1 smaller do. 

1 box of steel turning tools. 

2 large timber chains. 

1 lot of smaller do. 

1 large wagon and harness for team. 

6 wheel-barrows. 

1 jar of quicksilver. 

Lot of iron hooped tubs and buckets. 


14 


A quantity of screw bolt spikes. 

do. nails of different sizes. 

1 lot of door and shutter hinges, stable and butt hinges. 

1 lot of soldering tools, and solder for tin and brass. 

1 lot of leaden pipes of two sizes to convey water. 

1 lot of sheet lead. 

5 boxes of window-sashes, partly glazed. 

2 do. window and book case glass. 

3 kegs of white lead. 

2 do. green and 1 of yellow paint. 

2 cannisters linseed oil. 

2 do. spirits of wine. 

2 boxes of acids of sundry kinds. 

2 do. glass retorts. 

1 do. containing porcelain pots, glasses, borax and other salts, 
and materials for analysing. 

2 iron retorts to drive off' the quicksilver, with still heads and appa¬ 

ratus for them. 

1 lot of brass and iron cocks for tanks, &c. 

1 cask boiled plaster-paris. 

1 box of wire-work for sieves, fine and coarse. 

1 lot of fine sieves. 

2 iron stoves and pipes for them. 

2 boxes of carpenters’ tools, large and small planes, chisels of different 
kinds, millwrights’ tools, &c. 

1 box of turning tools. 

1 large smiths’ anvil and grind-stone. 

1 box of smiths’ tools of different kinds. 

1 large scale-beam, weighs 1600 lbs. avoirdupois. 

1 small do. with stand and dishes for it. 

1 fine large gold-scale, dishes, stand and weights regulated by the 
weights of the mint. 

1 large compass for underground mining. 

2 smaller compasses. 

A quantity of door-locks. 

2 barrels of oil for mill and machine-work. 

1 box of sweet oil for the same purpose. 

2 bundles of hoop-iron. 

A large lot of spare iron journal boxes, bored and turned ready for 
use, bottom for water tanks, &c., &c. 

The above is a correct Inventory. 

(Signed,) FREDERICK GIPPERICH, 

Mining Engineer 


t 


A N A C T, 

TO INCORPORATE THE 

PHILADELPHIA AND NORTH CAROLINA 

MINING AND SMELTING COMPANY. 

Section 1.— Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State 
of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the 
same, That Jacob Idler, Judah Dobson, William Idler, C. A. Pulte, 
and Clemente Idler, and such other persons as may hereafter be asso¬ 
ciated with them for the purpose of mining, extracting and smelting 
gold and other metals and minerals, shall be and are hereby incorpo¬ 
rated and made a body politic, by the name and style of “The 
Philadelphia and North Carolina Mining and Smelting Company,” 
for the purposes of mining, extracting and smelting gold and other 
metals and minerals, in the State of North Carolina, and by that name 
they and their successors shall be persons in law, capable of suing 
and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, in all courts and places 
whatsoever ; and that they and their successors shall have a Common 
seal, and make, change or alter the same at their pleasure ; and also, 
that they and their successors by the same name and style, shall be 
in law capable of purchasing, leasing, holding and conveying any 
property, real or personal; Provided, That said company shall at no 
time hold more than Ten thousand acres of land. 

Sect. 2.— Be it further enacted, That the capital stock of said 
company shall not be less than One hundred thousand dollars, nor 
more than Two hundred thousand dollars, and shall be divided into 
shares of fifty dollars each. 

Sect. 3.—Be it further enacted, That for managing the affairs of 
said company, there shall be chosen annually a Board of Directors, 
consisting of not less than five, and the said Board shall elect from 
their number, a President and Secretary, and a majority of said Board 
of Directors present at any meeting, shall have power to transact 
business ; not less than three to constitute a board for the transaction 
of business; and the said Board of Directors may hav& an office and 
hold their meettings in any part of this State or elsewhere, as the 
necessity of their business may require. And if there should be no 
election of Directors at any annual meeting, as herein before pres- 


16 


cribed, this Charter shall not on that account be forfeited, but the Di¬ 
rectors then in office shall continue until an election shall take place. 

The said election shall take place at such time, place and in such 
a manner as shall be prescribed by the by-laws. 

Sect. 4. Be it further enacted, That each share shall be entitled 
to one vote and the holder or holders of said share or shares may vote 
either by proxy or in person. 

Sect. 5. Be it further enacted, That the President or any three of 
the Directors shall have power to call special meetings of the stock¬ 
holders ; to supply vacancies in their own body; to appoint such offi¬ 
cers as the stockholders in general meeting shall authorize; to take 
bonds with sufficient security for the good conduct, fidelity and atten¬ 
tion of such officers; and to do all other acts and things touching the 
affairs of the Company not otherwise specially provided for. Dividends 
of the nett-profits of said company shall be made at such times as 
shall be determined by the stockholders in general meeting. 

Sect. 6. Be it further enacted, That if any subscriber or subscri¬ 
bers shall fail to pay the amount snbscribed by him, her or them at 
the time or times prescribed by the President and Directors for the 
payment thereof, the share or shares held by them, her or them to¬ 
gether with all previous payments made thereon, may be forfeited at 
the pleasure of the Board of Directors, Provided that no forfeiture 
shall take place without such public notice as may be prescribed in 
the by-laws. 

Sect. 7. Be it further enacted, That the stock of the said Company 
shall be deemed personal estate and pass as such to the representa¬ 
tives of each stockholder; and may be transferred, and certificates 
thereof issued in such manner and form, as the President and Di¬ 
rectors, or the stockholders in general meeting shall from time to 
time to time direct; Provided that nothing herein contained shall be 
so construed as to prevent the said Company from selling and con¬ 
veying any part of such real estate as they may hold or hereafter 
acquire, or which may be hereby incorporated into stock and declared 
personal estate, and when it is sold and conveyed from being con¬ 
sidered real estate. 

Sect. 8. Be it further enacted, That the President and Directors 
shall have power to make such by-laws and regulations not contrary 
to the laws of the United States or of this State, as they may deem 
expedient and proper for the government of said corporation. 

Ratified this 18. day of January 1847. 

ROB. B. GILLIAM, 

Speaker of the House of Commons. 

A. JOYNER, 

Speaker of the Senate. 


17 


STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, as. 

OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE. 

I William Hill, Secretary of State in and for the State of 
North* Carolina, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true 
Copy of an Act of the General Assembly of this State, drawn 
off from the original which is on file in this office. 

Given under my hand this 27th day of Jan., A. D., 1847. 


WILLIAM HILL, 

Secretary of State, 

















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